The New Zealand Rugby Union last night announced Mulipola was suspended from all rugby until Monday, September 7 as a result of misconduct arising from his involvement in an alleged physical altercation in Dunedin in May.
Mulipola was censured by the NZRU this week following a meeting with professional rugby manager Neil Sorensen and Highlanders management.
Mulipola (26) was charged with assault with intent to injure Majdi Ghanem Mohammed Abed-Rabbo on May 22 in Dunedin.
He pleaded not guilty in the Dunedin District Court on July 28 and was refused continued name suppression by Judge Geoff Rea, of Napier.
Mulipola was remanded to appear at a status hearing on August 24.
Sorensen said Mulipola had initially misled the Highlanders and the NZRU about his involvement in the alleged incident.
When Sorensen spoke to Mulipola, the player accepted that misleading the Highlanders and NZRU had shown poor judgement on his part.
Sorensen said a misconduct process for Mulipola was started after the alleged assault came to light.
The NZRU has reserved the right to reconvene the disciplinary hearing once the outcome of Mulipola's court proceedings is known.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid is eager to see the issue resolved.
"We've been keen to deal with this for a while but the process has taken some time," Reid told the Otago Daily Times last night.
"We're satisfied with the outcome and hope it again sends a clear message to all rugby players about their behaviour."
Reid has previously told the ODT that Mulipola's contract could be terminated.
That remains on the table, though it is also possible Mulipola will simply not be re-signed when his Otago contract expires.
"Lucky's contract is up at the end of the season. By virtue of not being available for a while, it's going to be hard for him to retain a contract."
Otago had high hopes for Mulipola when he was signed from Tasman, but his off-field problems have blighted his career.
Last year, he was sentenced to community work and ordered to pay $5000 emotional harm reparation for an assault on a man in Dunedin.
He was also convicted of driving while disqualified and supplying false or misleading information to police.
Mulipola was selected in the Otago squad for the Air New Zealand Cup but has not been in the starting XV or reserves during the first three rounds.
